Collapsible hoop skirt



NOV. 7, 1950 c, CLAYTON 2,528,639

COLLAPSIBLE HOOP SKIRT Filed Aug. 12, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVEN TOR.

MARY C- CLAYTON ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1950 M. c. CLAYTON 2,528,639

COLLAPSIBLE HOOP SKIRT Filed Aug. 12, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'JNVEN TOR.

MARY C. CLAYTON Patented Nov. 7, 1 950 f; s'rA'r oo L PsIBLE Hoor SKIRTMary 0. Clayton, Decatur, Ga. Application August 12, 1948, Serial No.43,922

, 1 'lhis invention relates to feminine attire, and more particularly toa new and improved, collapi le 09 Skirt,

I For many years in this country, and particularly in the southern partthereof, it has been customary for women to wear at formal functionswhatis known as hoop skirts, these consisting essentially of a very wideand'full garment sup-'- ported' by a series of circular hoop-likemembers, increasing in their over-all diameter from the topdown, andextending the material of the skirt away from the body of the wearerin apicturesque and pleasing manner.

An,ob vious' objection to garments of this type liesinthe fact that theyare quite bulky, and hencedifiicult to pack or transport.

Another objection lies in the fact that conventional hoop skirts areheavy, which factor is accentuated in the case of elaborate costumes asare oft'eriused on the stage and screen.

Another objection arises because the hoops of these skirts are usuallyrelatively rigid, making it diflicult to sit down, as for example in anautomobile when wearing such, and even creating a problem in some casesin passing through doors or narrow passageways.

object of my invention is to provide a collaps'iblehoop skirt that maybe readily packed in a' small container and easily transported.

Another object is to provide a'collapsible hoop skirt that is readilyadjustable into several different forms.

Another object is to provide an instrumentalit of theinstant type whichis easily cleaned.

j A still further object is to provide lightness-and buoyancy in such adevice.

Another object is to provide simplicity of construction in a collapsiblehoop skirt.

Another object is to make possible ready adjustability of such a deviceto thewaist of a wearer. Another object is to provide economy ofmanufacture in such a device. 7

Another object is to make possible facile and positive adjustment in acollapsible hoop skirt."

' These and other objects are achieved by my invention, a full andcomplete understanding of which is facilitated by reference to thedrawings herein, in which: Fig. l'is a view substantially .inperspectiveshowing my device adjusted to a wearer, preparatory to receiving acovering skirt; i

- Fig. 2 shows the outer garment in place and illustrates the over-alleffect thereby attained. l Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing amodification or adjustment whereby what is known as the"Farthingaleeffect is attained.

. Fig. 4 is a view similar to that of Figs. 1 and 3, in which a bustleor train effect is achieved;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the instant device in collapsed form; I

13 Claims.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view, fragmentary in part, showing thestructure of Fig. 5, together with the locking device; 7

I Fig. '7 is an enlarged view showing the upper structure of Fig. 6expanded, and the locking device in place;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, showing the lower portion of Fig. 6expanded and locked; and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the locking arrangement, in verticalsection taken along the line 99 of Fig. 7, looking in the direction ofthe arrows.

Referring now to the drawings, Figs. 1, 5, 7 and 8, it will be seen thatmy collapsible hoop skirt is formed with a plurality of identical stripsl0, fabricated from'plastic. or other suitable material, and pivotallyunited at their center portions by means of brad-like elements H,thereby providing a continuous articulated structure in generallycircular form.

. In'the upper hoop assembly a series of tapes i2 are passed throughsuitable holes 13 in oppo sitely disposed-and adjacent ends of elementsI0 at. suitable intervals, and a somewhat similar arrangement exists inthe case of the lower or bottom hoops Where tapes [2 are initiallypassed through openings M in the adjacent ends of crisscrossed elementsI0, and then securely anchored in conjunction with apertures l5 atthelowermost points when elements ID are joined. At points where tapes 12do not pass through openings such as I3, [4 and l5, and in both theupper and lower hoops, brad elements l6 are employed tosecure ends of Itin such a manner that the assembly may be opened or closed, a reasonablesnugness of fit being desirable at these points.

Tapes 12 extend upwardly to a waist band I1, where they are securelyanchored. Said waist band may be formed of any suitable flexiblematerial, and has as a feature, a series of securing such as snaps 18,which provide for adjustability in the garment and make it adaptable toany size waist. A loop [Sis-likewise secured to belt I], for a purposeexplained hereafter.

It will be noted that tapes l2 are free to slide in openings [3 of theupper hoopassembly which means that this hoop may be lowered as desired.

Attention is now directed to the locking means whichl have provided forthe purpose of securing the hoops in fixed position, once they have beenextended to a, desired point. This means consists of a pliable tab-likeelement 20, secured to adjaor raised cent ends of criss-crossed elementsIn, as by means of a metallic fastener 2!, and extending verticallydownward. Element 20 has formed therein, a series of openings 22preferably of a shape suggestive of an inverted keyhole, which openingsare calculated to engage a securing element 23 anchored to adjacentlower ends of eleability is made possible, with reference to thepointsat which the hoop assembly may be locked. The foregoing arrangement isapplied-to both theupper and lower hoops.

Attention is now directed to the features made possible by the structureillustrated in: Figs. 3:

and 4 of the drawings, the first being for thepurpose of producing what,is known as the Farthingale effect, which isin substance a hoop in thenature of an ellipse, such being desirable when asomewhat flattenedfront and rear contour is desired, as for example when dancing. Toattain this effect, I provide a pair'of tapes'24, which are snapped ontoor otherwise secured? to opposite sides of the upper hoop assembly,thereby dra wing in the hoop andforming the desired shape' said elements2'4 being of a suitable length toattain this result.

'When'it is desire'dto produce a bustle or train efiect'; I" employanother tape-like elementZii (Fig, 4)., which is passed through loop f9;and in turn secured at opposite sides of the upper hoop assemblyas at 26and 2?. This serves to draw the composite structure" rearwardly, andwith appropriate adjustment of tapes l2 to'provide increased length inthe rear, and thereby place the upper hoop on a suitable plane; afoundation is provided to receive'a' wedding dress or similar garmenthaving a train. Or, a simple bustle effect' may be garments.

From-the foregoing, it is believed that theop attained in the case ofother eration of my collapsible hoop skirt will be obvious, it only"being necessary to expand" the a upper and lower hoops in the desiredmanner, step into the assembly,. secure thewaist band at a' pointcorresponding to 1 that of the waist measure ofthe'wearer,preferablyfasten locking tab 2Bin' place, and then put on the outergarmentover'thefoundationthus provided;

Itisf'urtherapparent that my device composes itself nicely for sitting;either with the hoopsf fully'expanded, or if desired, such maybe pushedtogether so that they confornr to any space at; a

Adaptations for producing the Farthingale and traineffect's have-beendescribed heretofore.-

Itin'ay be further noted that mydevice folds into an eight inch roundbox, and as producedat' present, weighs less than two pounds in suchabox; is capable of expanding to a circumference of'ininetyinches,andireplaces five. crinoli'ne petticoats.-. Of'course, larger. orsmaller. versions may readily becreated: in keeping with the exigenciesof 'algiven situation.

My device isli'ght: in weight, economical: of

manufacture; easily cleaned, attractive in appearance; adjustableboth atthe waist and in the. hoopsthemselves both horizontally and vertical- 15is provided-with a simple but effective locking means, and altogetheristhoroughly adapted for its intended purposes.

While I have described in considerable detail 7 strued in keeping withmy contribution to the in- 4 one form of my invention herein, it isapparent that various changes, modifications, alterations,reconstructions, transpositions, and other expedients. such. asproviding inflatable hoops, may

' be resorted to without departing from the scope of the instant claims,which are to be fairly constant art.

15. In.- a. device of, the character described, a collapsible upper hoopassembly comprising a plurality of identical strips, means pivotallyuniting said strips at their center portions, means pivotally joiningoppositely disposed adjacent ends of said strips; an identical lowerhoop assembly of greaterpotent'ial' circumferencethan said upperassembly; pliant tape. means connecting said upper and lower assemblies;and a waist bandi secured to the upperextremities of saidt'a'peimembers;

2; Inv a device of the character described; a

collapsible upper hoop assembly comprising aplurality of strips;means'pivotally uniting saidfl strips at their center'portions, meanspivotallyjoining oppositely disposed adjacent ends of said strips a,substantially identical lower hoop= as sembly" of greater potentialcircumference than said upper assembly, pliant tapemeans connecte ingsaid: upperand lower assemblies; and 1 an adjustable' waist band"secured to the upper ex tremities of saidtape members.

3'. In a device or the character described: a. collapsible upperhoopassembly comprising a plurality of strips, means" pivotally unitin'gsaid-i strips at their center'portions means pivotallyjoining oppositelydisposed adjacent ends o'fsaid strips; a substantially identical lowerhoop as sembly' of greater potential circumference than said'upperassembly; lockingmeans' for said'ih'oo'p" assemblies, pliant tape meansconnecting saith assemblies, and an adjustablev waist bandsecured to.the upper extremities of" said? tape members.

4; In a, device of, the character described; at collapsible upper hoopassembly, comprising a plurality, of? strips, means pivotally unitingsaid, strips at their centerportl'ons, means pivotally. joiningoppositely. disposed, adjacent ends. ofj'said strips, a substantiallyidentical. lower, hoop. ask, semblytof greater potential circumference.than said upper assembly, adjustable locking, means,- for said hoop.assemblies pliant tapemeansconnecting said assemblies, and an.adjustable waist, band secured to.- the, upper. extremities ofl saidtape members" f e i v 5. p In a; device 013.the:-characterdescribed'amol lapsible upper hoop assembly; comprising a? plu rality of;identicalstrips,v means pivotally uniting said i stripsv at: theircenter portions, means p iV-.-- otally joining: oppositely: disposed; adacent ends of} said; strips, an identical lowen hoop assembly; ofgreater potential,circumferencethan said up per assembly, adjustablepliant tape means-;con:-- necting, saidupper andalower, assemblies; and:a waist: band; secured; to; the, upper extremities: of; said tapemember-s2,

6;; Inia=device of the, character-described, acollapsiblei upper; hoop.assembly; comprising, a plus rality'of strips, meansipivotallyunitingisaid strips at. theirgcenten; portions, means. pivotally joiningoppositely disposed. adjacent, ends of said strips, ai substantiallyidentical lower; hoop assembly) of greater-potential circumference thansaid. upper assembly, locking meansvfor one of said hoopaS- semblies,pliant tape means connecting saidiase semblies, and an adjustable waistband secured to the upper extremities of said tape members.

'7. In a device of the character described, a collapsible upper hoopassembly comprising a plurality of strips, means pivotally uniting saidstrips at their center portions, means pivotally joining oppositelydisposed adjacent ends of said strips, a collapsible lower hoopassembly, adjustable locking means for said hoop assemblies, pliant tapemeans connecting said assemblies, and an adjustable waist band securedto the upper extremities of said tape members.

8. In a device of the character described, a collapsible upper hoopassembly comprising a plurality of strips, means pivotally unitin saidstrips at their center portions, means pivotally joining oppositelydisposed adjacent ends of said strips, a substantially identical lowerhoop assembl of greater potential circumference than said upperassembly, locking means for said hoop assemblies, pliant tape meansconnecting said assemblies, means connecting opposite front and rearportions of the upper hoop assembly whereby same assumes an ellipticalcontour, and an adjustable waist band secured to the upper extremitiesof said tape members.

9. In a device of the character described, a collapsible upper hoopassembly comprising a plurality of strips, means pivotally uniting saidstrips at their center portions, means pivotally joining oppositelydisposed adjacent ends of said strips, a substantially identical lowerhoop assembly, means connecting opposite front and rear portions of theupper hoop assembly whereby Said assembly assumes an elliptical contour,pliant tape means connecting said upper and lower assemblies, and awaist band secured to the upper extremities of said tape members.

10. In a device of the character described, a collapsible upper hoopassembly comprising a plurality of strips, means pivotally uniting saidstrips at their center portions, means pivotally assembly,

joining oppositely disposed adjacent ends of said strips, asubstantially identical lower hoop tape means connecting saidassemblies, an adjustable waist band secured to the upper extremities ofsaid tape members, a loop secured to the rear center of said band, andtape means passed through the loop and fastened to opposite sides of theupper hoop in such a manner as to pull such rearwardly and therebyproduce a train effect when a garment is placed over the compositeassembly.

11. In a device of the character described, an articulated upper hoopassembly, an articulated lower hoop assembly, a plurality of flexibletapes connecting said upper and lower assemblies, and a waist bandsecured to the upper extremities of said tapes.

12. In a device of the character described, an articulated upper hoopassembly, an articulated lower hoop assembly, flexible means connectingsaid upper and lower assemblies, and a waist band secured to the upperextremities of said connecting means.

13. In a device of the character described, an articulated upper hoopassembly, an articulated lower hoop assembly, a plurality of flexibletapes connecting said upper and lower assemblies, and an adjustablewaist band secured to the upper extremities of said tapes.

MARY C. CLAYTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 1,755 Neumann Aug. 30, 1864991,241 Rae May 2, 1911 1,271,889 Granger July 9, 1918 2,412,415 NavonDec. 10, 1946

